The 2022-2023 Football Thread

[Alphazoid]

Chelsea still can't score unless its from the penalty spot. And they've brought in a defender who has got a rude awakening of what the EPL intensity is like.

Good luck to them

Everton need a forward, and possibly a defender, since Mina can't seem to go a season without some form of injury

 

[pachyderm]

Nashville SC keeping it close, 2-2, at the break.

But man are they looking sloppy.

 

[danny842003]

Was nice to see Newcastle get a win straight out the blocks rather than game 15. We totally dominated Forest from start to finish but we’re looking a bit toothless where it matters.
Glad to see Forest back in the PL but they were terrible. Lingard on 200k a week was basically absent. If they’re deep in relegation come Xmas I can’t see him being very interested in fighting to save them knowing he’s a free agent again at the end of the season.
They did some weird mighty ducks Flying V at a corner, really odd.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Was nice to see Newcastle get a win straight out the blocks rather than game 15. We totally dominated Forest from start to finish but we’re looking a bit toothless where it matters.
Glad to see Forest back in the PL but they were terrible. Lingard on 200k a week was basically absent. If they’re deep in relegation come Xmas I can’t see him being very interested in fighting to save them knowing he’s a free agent again at the end of the season.
They did some weird mighty ducks Flying V at a corner, really odd.

I’m concerned about Forest’s next game. I can see Lingard being a thorn in West Ham’s side later this week.
Hopefully City are not ready for the mighty Hammers later!

 

[pachyderm]

Wednesday won! On the road to boot!

phew...

 

[Apple fanboy]

@JamesMike hope your not watching. 0-2 down at home to Brighton.
Ronaldo warming the bench.
Not a good start to the season.

Meanwhile Brentford are missing Erickson.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

@JamesMike hope your not watching. 0-2 down at home to Brighton.
Ronaldo warming the bench.
Not a good start to the season.

Meanwhile Brentford are missing Erickson.

Yes, personally, I was really sorry that Erikson left Brentford for Manchester United; I loved his "narrative arc' and the fact that not only had Brentford enabled him to recover his career, by taking the risk of recruiting him, but that he was instrumental in securing safety for them during their successful first season in the Premier League.

Naturally, they will feel the absence of such a skillful and exquisitely gifted player, but I would have loved to have seen him stay with them. Unfortunately, when Manchester United came calling, I suppose that it was inevitable that he would answer their call.

I daresay that is the (usually suppressed) football romantic in me, the one that attempts an escape all too often.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Brighton win a deserved victory (by two goals to one) against Manchester United, at Old Trafford.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Brighton win a deserved victory (by two goals to one) against Manchester United, at Old Trafford.

Yes it was deserved. Glad they held on for all three points.
But now the main event. West Ham verses City.

 

[Alphazoid]

United...oh dear...

But then again not surprising.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I hadn't realized that Brighton had never previously won at Old Trafford. Slightly surprised Man Utd lost at home but from early on Brighton looked good for a draw anyway. This version of Man Utd looks much like last season's, though Ronaldo is grumpier and Eriksen looked fairly effective. Early days of course, it will take at least a couple months to really see how the summer's changes shake out across the league.

Hoping the Hammers play a blinder today, and Haaland trips over his own feet.

This I understand. But substitutions are made to change things up or to rest players far more than they are to prevent injuries.
The smaller clubs will end up struggling to find subs to bring on as the season progresses.
Where as the top teams can bring on a spare international.

I don’t entirely disagree but I think you’re underselling the health and safety benefits to the players a bit - it does matter and we should not avoid addressing those issues just because they are also wrapped up in the broader issues of inequality in the game (because everything is, really). More subs is not the solution alone but I think this argument in their favor is valid. Of course they should also implement temporary concussion subs, not permanent ones, to allow for proper concussion evaluations without the time pressure of having to evaluate whether a permanent sub is needed.

Also, with the FA Cup also allowing five subs, teams in the Championship will argue - with some justification - that pretty much all of the Premier League squads (not just the top handful) are superior in quality (and often in depth) and thus are given further advantage by the five subs rule. West Ham (for example) have a few bench players who are themselves internationals that could come on to help ensure progress in the cups over a Championship or League One side. That will seem quite unfair from the perspective of the lower division sides.

Every team looks up and sees the sides above them having an unfair advantage - but often fail to realize that all the teams below them feel the same way about them. It's not just the very top teams. Inequality exists throughout the pyramid.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I hadn't realized that Brighton had never previously won at Old Trafford. Slightly surprised Man Utd lost at home but from early on Brighton looked good for a draw anyway. This version of Man Utd looks much like last season's, though Ronaldo is grumpier and Eriksen looked fairly effective. Early days of course, it will take at least a couple months to really see how the summer's changes shake out across the league.

Hoping the Hammers play a blinder today, and Haaland trips over his own feet.


I don’t entirely disagree but I think you’re underselling the health and safety benefits to the players a bit - it does matter and we should not avoid addressing those issues just because they are also wrapped up in the broader issues of inequality in the game (because everything is, really). More subs is not the solution alone but I think this argument in their favor is valid. Of course they should also implement temporary concussion subs, not permanent ones, to allow for proper concussion evaluations without the time pressure of having to evaluate whether a permanent sub is needed.

Also, with the FA Cup also allowing five subs, teams in the Championship will argue - with some justification - that pretty much all of the Premier League squads (not just the top handful) are superior in quality (and often in depth) and thus are given further advantage by the five subs rule. West Ham (for example) have a few bench players who are themselves internationals that could come on to help ensure progress in the cups over a Championship or League One side. That will seem quite unfair from the perspective of the lower division sides.

Every team looks up and sees the sides above them having an unfair advantage - but often fail to realize that all the teams below them feel the same way about them. It's not just the very top teams. Inequality exists throughout the pyramid.

I agree that West Ham are not one of the Minos. But we both know players aren’t being substituted due to health. They are being substituted because managers want to change things up.
I agree concussion substitutions make sense, but how would it not get abused? The way some players go down holding their heads rolling around after they haven’t even been touched.
It would be impossible to police.

 

[Apple fanboy]

That said @Lord Blackadder Moyes has named 2 x goalkeepers on his substitution list for todays game!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

To be honest, @Apple fanboy, re concussion protocols (given the terrifying stories that are seeping through about an increasing number of players having been diagnosed with early onset dementia and also those suffering from other long term effects of head injuries, lack of impulse control, violence, lack of concentration etc), I would always give the benefit of the doubt to any player claiming such an injury, and would like to see far more stringent (in health terms) - and independent - concussion protocols imposed and implemented, irrespective of the demands made by teams.

Hoping the Hammers play a blinder today, and Haaland trips over his own feet.

Brilliant.

I'm both laughing and in complete agreement with you.

 

[Apple fanboy]

To be honest, @Apple fanboy, re concussion protocols (given the terrifying stories that are seeping through about an increasing number of players having been diagnosed with early onset dementia and also those suffering from other long term effects of head injuries, lack of impulse control, violence, lack of concentration etc), I would always give the benefit of the doubt to any player claiming such an injury, and would like to see far more stringent (in health terms) - and independent - concussion protocols imposed and implemented, irrespective of the demands made by teams.


Brilliant.

I'm both laughing and in complete agreement with you.

As do I. As do I. But I fear men versus boys.

 

[Alphazoid]

I think Grealish will be shifted next season unless he drastically improves. Early days i know but arguably same pattern from last season.

Gets the ball then stops...and passes sideways or fluffs his lines.

If that continues, City will really miss Sterling/Jesus.

Haaland looks the real deal. His height, movement, and burst of pace is impressive.

 

[Apple fanboy]

We’re sitting back and failing to commit to attack. I fear the worst.

 

[Silencio]

Brighton back to being United's bogey team: a well-drilled and well-managed side. United's midfield still light years off the pace. A lot of players needed to step up and didn't — they're simply not good enough. When will ETH and the board finally realize that simple fact and start acting?

It's going to be a long season. I expect nothing, but hope to at least see progress. Stick with the plan and keep turning the squad over with each transfer window.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

We’re sitting back and failing to commit to attack. I fear the worst.

And Haaland strikes, in fact, he has scored twice, and much of the post match coverage will be all about him, but, in truth, the perfect passes from Gundogan and de Bruyne deserve equal credit when discussing these goals.

Anyway, I would have liked to have seen Manchester City struggle and suffer, and take time to settle.

 

[Apple fanboy]

And Haaland strikes, in fact, he has scored twice, and much of the post match coverage will be all about him, but, in truth, the perfect passes from Gundogan and de Bruyne deserve equal credit when discussing these goals.

Anyway, I would have liked to have seen Manchester City struggle and suffer, and take time to settle.

As would I. But we decided to sit back for the first half and invite pressure. That was never going to work. We’ve tried to respond since the break, but Antonio looks to be carrying an injury. A big ask for Scamacca to be able to turn it around.

 

[Alphazoid]

City's title to lose then...

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I agree concussion substitutions make sense, but how would it not get abused? The way some players go down holding their heads rolling around after they haven’t even been touched.
It would be impossible to police.

It's going to be difficult, but I'll wager that in the long term, as we learn more about the devastating long-term effects of concussions, there will be no reasonable alternative. Rugby already has them, and they don't seem to have a major problem with abuse, so I think it can be done. The key part of making it work is convincing everyone that it really does matter for player health, so that everyone takes it seriously. Follow the science.

Haaland looks the real deal. His height, movement, and burst of pace is impressive.

I joke about it, but there is no question he will tear up the league - his previous record is frightening and I can't believe he'll suddenly turn into a donkey just because he's playing in England. Unless he picks up a long-term injury he'll score between 0.5-1 goals per game on average, so potentially something like 50+ including cups and Europe. Totally insane.

It's going to be a long season. I expect nothing, but hope to at least see progress. Stick with the plan and keep turning the squad over with each transfer window.

If the club are serious about giving ten Hag time and resource to turn things round, this season is a writeoff. He can't be expected to right the ship much at all at this point because, as you alluded to, he is probably thinking he is a handful of transfer windows away from having the squad he thinks he needs.

City's title to lose then...

Richest club, most resources. Every season they don't win the title is a significant failure given that they have an advantage over every other team in the division. Ditto the Champions League (which is why their perennial failure there is so massively heartwarming for everyone else).

They'll have their usual little slump every year but the tiny handful of points they'll drop won't be enough for Liverpool to catch them. (I'd love to be wrong of course).

 

[Apple fanboy]

It's going to be difficult, but I'll wager that in the long term, as we learn more about the devastating long-term effects of concussions, there will be no reasonable alternative. Rugby already has them, and they don't seem to have a major problem with abuse, so I think it can be done. The key part of making it work is convincing everyone that it really does matter for player health, so that everyone takes it seriously. Follow the science.



I joke about it, but there is no question he will tear up the league - his previous record is frightening and I can't believe he'll suddenly turn into a donkey just because he's playing in England. Unless he picks up a long-term injury he'll score between 0.5-1 goals per game on average, so potentially something like 50+ including cups and Europe. Totally insane.



If the club are serious about giving ten Hag time and resource to turn things round, this season is a writeoff. He can't be expected to right the ship much at all at this point because, as you alluded to, he is probably thinking he is a handful of transfer windows away from having the squad he thinks he needs.



Richest club, most resources. Every season they don't win the title is a significant failure given that they have an advantage over every other team in the division. Ditto the Champions League (which is why their perennial failure there is so massively heartwarming for everyone else).

They'll have their usual little slump every year but the tiny handful of points they'll drop won't be enough for Liverpool to catch them. (I'd love to be wrong of course).

Rugby has a few benefits over Football. For example the players are not prone to play acting or trying to cheat the ref.
They don’t argue every decision with the referee.
Therefore it’s easier to put things like concussion substitution in the rules.

As for Haaland he is going to be a handful for sure. But then I don’t really care if they or Liverpool win the title. They are both entitled teams I could happily watch implode. But it would take a miracle for neither of them to win.

 

[danny842003]

Rugby has a few benefits over Football. For example the players are not prone to play acting or trying to cheat the ref.
They don’t argue every decision with the referee.
Therefore it’s easier to put things like concussion substitution in the rules.

As for Haaland he is going to be a handful for sure. But then I don’t really care if they or Liverpool win the title. They are both entitled teams I could happily watch implode. But it would take a miracle for neither of them to win.

You do remember they had blood capsules in rugby previously?

 

[Apple fanboy]

You do remember they had blood capsules in rugby previously?

I’m not saying it’s perfect. But there is a lot more play acting and trying it on in football.